570 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



An extract prepared from the wood of Acacia Catechu 

 (Linne filius) "Willdenow (nat. ord. Leguminosse). 



Habitat — India and Africa. 



properties. — In irregular masses, containing fragments of 

 leaves, dark brown, brittle, somewhat porous and glossy 

 when freshly broken. It is nearly inodorous, and has a 

 strongly sweetish and astringent taste. 



Co7istitu€nfs. — 1, catechutannic acid (35-40 per cent.) is 

 the active principle ; it is converted into the isomeric inac- 

 tive catechuic acid, or catechin (CoiHjoOg + 5 HjO), by 

 the saliva and by boiling, a red color being developed. 

 There is also (2) catechu-red. 



Incompatibles. — Metallic salts, alkalies, and gelatin. 



Dosc—B.,, 1 ss.-i. (15.-30.); C, 3 i.-ii. (30.-60.); Sh. & Sw., 

 3i-ii. (4-8.); D., gr.v.-xxx. (.3-2.). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Tinctura Catechu Composita. Compound Tincture of Catechu. 



(U. S. P.) 



Made by maceration of catechu, 100; cassia cinnamon, 50; with 

 diluted alcohol to make 1000. 



Dose.— H. & C, 3 i.-ii. (30.-60.); Foals, Calves and Sheep, ^ ss.-i. 

 (15.-30); D., 3 88.-ii. (2.-8). 



Tinctura Catechu. (B. P.) 

 Same dose as compound tincture. 

 Pulvls Catechu Compositus. (Kino, Rhatany and Catechu. B. P.) 

 Dose. — Same as catechu. 



Administration, — The compound tincture, or an infusion 

 (made by pouring boiling water over catechu, digesting for 

 an hour, and straining), and the powder, are employed inter- 

 nally. The powder is given in flour gruel. The powder, or 

 an infusion of any strength may be applied externally. 



Catechu is represented in the B.P. by catechu pallidum, an 

 extract of the leaves and young shoots of Uncaria Gambler, 

 Eastern Archipelago. It occurs in brown cubes, about an 

 inch square, and possesses a bitter, astringent taste. It is 



